Umbrella



May 22, 1951 J. H. MUELLER 2,554,204

UMBRELLA Filed Dec. 1, 1947 Joseph H. Mueller INVEN TOR.

BY Mm g m 3M Patented May 22, 1951 UNITED, STATES, PATENT OFFICE 2Claims. (Cl. 135"19.'5)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structuralrefinements in umbrellas, and the principal object of the invention isto provide a device of the character herein described, such as may beconveniently and effectively employed for protecting the. head andshoulders of the user from rain and other adverse weather conditions. a

A further object of the invention is to provide an'umbrella of the classdescribed which is extremely light in weight and collapsible inconstruction, so that it may be easily and conveniently carried eitherwhen it is or when it is not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which includesin its construction a transparent window, so that the user may observeand visually guide his or her progress through traffic, notwithstandingthe presence of the umbrella over his or her head.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which issimple in construction, neat in appearance, and which will not easilybecome damaged.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella whichwill readily lend itself to economical manufacture and which isotherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it is intended.

With the above more important objects in view and such other objects asmay become apparent as this specification proceeds, the inventionconsists essentially of the construction, and arrangement of parts asshown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention, showing the same in anopen position when in use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the umbrella in a closed position;

Figure 3 is an underside perspective view of the invention in an openposition;

Figure 4 is an underside perspective view of a modified embodiment ofthe invention, the same also being shown in an open position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational detail of a swivel joint used inthe embodiment shown in Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is an exploded elevational detail of the swivel jointillustrated in Figure 5.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in thespecification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more specificallyto Figures 1-3 inclusive, the invention consists of an umbrelladesignated generally by the reference character Ill, the same embodyingin its construction a sheet of bendable material providing an elongated,substantially rectangular panel I I which is bendable along a transversefold line l2.

The panel II is provided with a suitable opening [3 in which is mountedby means of a frame [4 a transparent window I5, as will be clearlyapparent.

A bendable strip I6 extends longitudinally of thepanel H and is securedthereto by means of a plurality of clips [1, one end portion of thisstrip being angulated and provided with a notch so as to constitute whatmay be referred to as a detent H3. The remaining end portion of thestrip It assumes the form of a loop [9, hereinafter referred to as thehandle.

When the invention is placed in use, the panel H is bent somewhat alongthe fold line I2 into a substantially V-shaped configuration shown inFigure 1, in which position it is effectively retained by means of thestrip I6. It should be understood that the strip [6 is not resilient,but is adapted to remain in any position to which it is bent, therebysupporting the panel H in any desired position.

As is best shown in Figure 1, the umbrella may then be placed above thehead of the user, being supported by the handle l9. Moreover, in theevent of driving rain, or the like, the umbrella may be adjusted to anyrequired position with respect to the head of the user, and the user mayvisually observe his or her progress through traffic by virtue of thewindow l5.

When the umbrella is not in use, it may be simply folded to a positionshown in Figure 2, wherein it is releasably retained by simply engagingthe detent IS with the handle l9. Moreover, the umbrella may beconveniently carried while in this position by means of the handle !9,as will be readily understood,

Referring now to the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe accompanying Figures 4-6, the same is designated generally by thereference character 2!] and consists of a bendable panel 2| providedwith a transparent window 22.

The panel 2| when in use may be bent either longitudinally ortransversely, and a reinforcing strip 23 is secured to the panel, thestrip 23 corresponding to the strip IS in the embodiment l 0.

One end portion of the strip '23 terminates in an angulated bracketportion 24 carrying a cam surfaced dog 25, the latter being engageablewith a coacting dog 26 secured to one end portion of an arcuate handle21. A suitable bolt 28, equipped with a, nut 29 extends through theparts 24, 25, 26 and 21, the loosening or tightening of this boltfacilitating adjustment of the handle 21 with respect to the strip orstrap 23 to suit the convenience of the user.

Needless to say, the umbrella 20 may be adjusted as required by simplybending the panel 2|, either transversely or longitudinally, as has beenalready explained.

Moreover, it should be noted that the handle 21 is disposed exteriorly,so to speak, with respect to the panel 2|, so that convenient handlingof the umbrella is facilitated.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will beclearly understood from the foregoing disclosure, and accordingly,further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferredembodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that minor changesin the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an umbrella, the combination of an elongated panel bendable on atransverse fold line from an open operative position to a doubledinoperative position, a combined reinforcement and handle comprising anon-resilient strip extending longitudinally of said panel and having amajor portion of its length secured to the panel and bendable therewithwhereby said panel may be adjustably supported in a predetermined bentbut operative position, one end portion of said strip extendingoutwardly from the panel and constituting a handle, and means forreleasably locking said panel in its doubled position wherein a portionof said handle projects outwardly therefrom.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means include ahook-shaped detent provided at the remaining end of said strip, saidhandle being engageable with said detent when said panel is in itsdoubled position.

JOSEPH H. MUELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 581,691 Buchanan et a1 May 4,1897 1,023,635 Flues Apr. 16, 1912 2,193,469 Ashton Mar. 12, 19402,430,042 Bisbing Nov. 4, 1947

